Prisoners to be moved to lower security jails to ease overcrowding

Prisoners are to be transferred to lower security jails in an effort to ease overcrowding, as part of a new measure quietly unveiled by the government.

Sky News understands that as of Monday, offenders serving standard sentences can be transferred to open or category D prisons up to three years earlier than previously, to free up space in higher security jails.

Open prisons have minimal security and allow eligible prisoners to spend time on day release away from the prison on licence conditions to carry out work or education.

It's unclear how many prisoners this will apply to, but the majority of those in prison custody serve standard determinate sentences. This is an extension of a policy which previously existed, as the prison service is warned of urgent capacity pressures.

Exemptions will include sex offenders, terrorists, violent criminals, those convicted of stalking, and prisoners serving a sentence of over four years.

It could mean those convicted of domestic abuse-related crimes are eligible for transfer to open prisons.

The Prison Governors' Association told Sky News it has "concerns" about the measure.

"This would still mean that after just two weeks in prison a man serving a seven and a half year prison sentence could be moved to an open prison, where there are no physical barriers like high walls, fences, secure gates and minimal staff supervision that could prevent prisoners from simply walking out," the association said in a statement.

Prison governors will have some discretion to judge the risk of the move, but it's understood the "presumption" will be that the transfer should take place.

Despite early release measures, prisons in England and Wales continue to face chronic overcrowding. The male estate is currently operating at around 98% capacity.

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This latest measure comes after the government accepted recommendations made in the sentencing review, which will see almost 10,000 fewer people sent to prison in the next three years. However, these measures will take time to become legislation.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "We are building new prisons and are on track for 14,000 places by 2031 - the largest expansion since the Victorians. Our sentencing reforms will also force prisoners to earn their way to release or face longer in jail for bad behaviour, while ensuring the most dangerous offenders can be kept off the street.

"Only certain thoroughly risk-assessed offenders are eligible for moves to open prison and anyone found breaching the rules can be immediately returned to a closed prison."